Frequently Overlooked Winter Hazards for Construction 동절기 건설현장의 유의해야할 취약 요소

Frequently Overlooked Winter Hazards for Construction

February 19, 2018 Shane Hedmond

The following is a guest post written by Laurence Banville, Esq.

Laurence Banville. Esq is the managing partner and face of Banville Law. Laurence is licensed to practice law in the state of New York. Originally from Ireland, Banville moved to the United States of America where he worked at law firms, refining his litigation and brief writing crafts. He is also the recipient of the Irish Legal 100 and the Top 40 Under 40 awards.

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동절기건설현장의 유의해야할 취약 요소

Winter is here and with it comes dangerous situations that construction workers don’t have to worry about during warmer weather. Nearly everyone is aware that construction workers should dress warmly in order to prevent medical conditions like frostbite and hypothermia, but what are some of the frequently overlooked risks associated with winter weather?

Potential Winter Construction Hazards

Winter weather can create serious safety hazards which may result in an accident that could harm or kill a workers. Commonly overlooked issues include:

The Weight Of Snow 눈이 녹지 않고 쌓이면 감당 못할 무게로 증가한다 

Snow is cold, beautiful, and heavy. A few inches isn’t a big deal but when an area is hit by storm after storm and the previous accumulation hasn’t melted, the snow can literally weigh hundreds of pounds.

If the snow is on a structure that can’t handle the weight, for example a roof with a structural issue or the roof of a small shed which is holding tools and machinery, that structure will collapse - on top of whomever is unlucky enough to be inside. Then, not only could those involved be hurt by falling debris but they may actually be buried alive under the weight of the snow.

Essentially, being trapped under heavy snow is similar to being involved in an avalanche and many people are unable to free themselves and run the risk of running out of oxygen on top of the other injuries they have sustained.

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Auto Accidents 강풍 동반 폭설 이후 도로의 자동차 사고

While most people understand the risks of being out on the road during or just after a snow storm, for construction workers, their job may literally be to move the snow. It doesn’t matter how bad the weather conditions are - someone has to plow and clear the roads.

Plows may seem invincible but like any other vehicle, if the tires hit a slick spot the driver may lose control of the vehicle and crash. Then, they may sustain the same injuries as any other car accident victim, which frequently include:

Broken Bones 골절상

Traumatic Brain Injuries 정신적 외상

Spinal Damage 척추 손상

Amputations 절단 사고

Deep Lacerations 깊게 찢어지는 부상

To make matters worse, the plow may be in a location that makes it difficult for emergency responders to reach the injured worker because the snow hasn’t been cleared away. For many, getting help in a timely manner is a matter of life or death so the additional wait time due to poor road conditions makes an already terrible situation much worse.

Carbon Monoxide Exposure 일산화탄소 노출

It’s human nature to limit exposure to the cold so of course, for many, that means closing all windows and doors. The problem is that in construction, many tools, heaters, and generators use gasoline for power and therefore produce carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless so workers often have no idea that they’ve been exposed until it’s too late, which is why it’s so important to be aware of the symptoms. This may include:

Dizziness 어지럼증

Nausea 구토

Tightness In The Chest 답답증

Headaches 두통

If the workers aren’t moved into an area with fresh air immediately they will ultimately lose consciousness and eventually die.

Most Accidents Can Be Prevented 대부분의 사고는 예방될 수 있다

With careful monitoring of all construction sites, the tools and machinery being used at those sites, and by explaining possible hazards to all employees, the majority of all accidents can be avoided. To prevent injuries and the subsequent workers’ compensation claims, all employers should provide training to every employee on how to stay safe when exposed to cold, snow, and ice.

https://www.constructionjunkie.com/blog/2018/2/11/frequently-overlooked-winter-hazards-for-construction

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